John Abraham takes girlfriend to LA for New Year

Roshmila Bhattacharya

We caught up with John Abraham on his way to LA with his girlfriend Priya Runchal

| Mumbai Mirror | Dec 30, 2013, 08.51 AM IST

John Abraham

It's past midnight and John Abraham's at the airport waiting to board a flight to Los Angeles. So, is it Hollywood calling? "No, I'm going there to bring in the New Year with Priya," he says, surprising you with the admission that he is meeting his girlfriend Priya Runchal.

Any special plans? "None," he says shortly, "I'll resume work on January 4." It's obvious that there'll be no more personal revelations, but John is in the mood to talk shop January, February and March for Anees Bazmee's 'Welcome Back', then 'Rocky Handsome' which he describes as "Force to the power of 10", to be directed by Nishikant Kamat, followed by another home production, 1911, with Shoojit Sircar.

"Shoojit and I are co-producing several films, but there are two films that he's directing and I'm acting in. 1911 is a period film on football inspired by a true story, the other is a realistic action movie. We're taking advantage of the fact that there's need for a real action hero. My directors feel I fit the bill, I believe this space needs to be filled," he reasons.

So, will we see him all pumped up again, with bulging biceps and a 12-pack? He chuckles, "During Force, Nishi wanted me to look like a man who couldn't be demolished. This time he wants a lean killing machine and that suits me because in Shoojit's film I play a footballer and need a lithe, athletic physique."

He asserts that none of the films produced by him will run true to formula and points out that though 'Madras Cafe' had John Abraham, he didn't remove his shirt, sing, dance or even beat up the guys who kill his wife, slinking away into oblivion till recruited for another mission only to lose again.

"Every studio apart from Viacom refused the film and today must be biting their nails because it earned six times its cost despite being banned in Singapore, UK, Canada and parts of South India. Had it released in all the territories, it would have earned 30 per cent more," he insists.

The loss of revenue hurt the star-producer because 'Madras Cafe' needed to be seen. "We understand politics and respected India's equation with Sri Lanka. It was a balanced film and should have got government support," he sighs.

Will he now be more careful when handling a subject that is open to controversy? "No, if I believe in it, I'll go all out for it. I expect the government and people to be more sensible. Hindi cinema is identified with song-and-dance and not respected like Iranian or Korean cinema. I want to make films that reach out to a larger global audience and not just the Indian disapora. For me, respect outscores the crores," he asserts.

So then why do a 'Welcome Back'? To earn money for his films? Or to be a part of a hit franchise? "I accepted it because the script is unpretentiously funny," he says. "I was reading it on a flight from Malaysia to Mumbai after an all-night shoot, fighting a migraine, and soon I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down. Two firangs next to me thought I had gone mental!"

He's become a co-owner of a hockey team, Delhi Waveriders. So will we see him in a Chak De! India kind of a movie next? "I don't have to make a film on every sport I am associated with — from cyclethons and marathons to football and hockey," he protests. "I'd rather make a brand of Indian hockey than make a film on it."

WATCH: John Abraham wants to get married soon

Stars with less famous partners

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Stars with less famous partners

Let's take a look at some not so famous spouses and partners of A-listers in showbiz.
Madhuri Dixit Nene and Sriram Nene: Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit married Sriram Madhav Nene, a UCLA-trained cardiovascular surgeon, in 1999. Ever since Madhuri and Sriram returned to India, Madhuri remains the bigger star.

John Abraham and Priya Runchal

John Abraham and Priya Runchal: After his break-up with Bipasha Basu, Bollywood hunk John Abraham started dating Priya Runchal. Last heard, John and his lesser known girlfriend Priya are going strong.

Chitrangada Singh and Jyoti Randhawa

Chitrangada Singh and Jyoti Randhawa: Dusky beauty Chitrangada Singh is married to her childhood sweetheart and golfer Jyoti Randhawa.

Imran Khan and Avantika

Imran Khan and Avantika: Bollywood actor Imran Khan married Avantika quite early his in career. Apparently, they are the youngest married couples in Bollywood.

Juhi Chawla and Jai Mehta

Juhi Chawla and Jai Mehta: Bollywood's chirpy actress Juhi Chawla married her long time beau Jai Mehta in 1997. The couple have two kids.

Emraan Hashmi and Parveen Sahani

Emraan Hashmi and Parveen Sahani: Not much is known about Emraan Hashmi's better half Parveen Sahani, who prefers keeping a low profile.

R Madhavan and Sarita

R Madhavan and Sarita: Southern star R Madhavan married his ladylove Sarita even before he became a successful actor. Apparently, Sarita worked as a costume designer is couple of R Madhavan's movies.

Abhay Deol and Preeti Desai

Abhay Deol and Preeti Desai: Bollywood actor Abhay Deol is going around with Preeti Desai. It is believed that the couple may soon formalize their relationship.

Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani

Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani: After her unceremonious break-up with co-star Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon started seeing Anil Thadani and the two married in 2004.

Ayushmann Khurrana and Tahira Kashyap

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux: After a high-profile split with Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston has been looking around for love. These days, Jennifer Aniston is seeing actor, director and screenwriter Justin Theroux.

Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso

Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso: Hollywood star Matt Damon married Argentine-born Luciana Barroso, who previously worked as a bartender.

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield: Emma and Andrew discovered each other on the set of The Amazing Spider-Man and since then, the duo have become inseparable.

Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth

Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth: Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon married talent agent Jim Toth in 2011 and also have a son, Tennessee James Toth.

Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower

Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower: Hollywood legend Robert De Niro married Grace Hightower in 1997.

Kate Winslet and Ned Rocknroll

Kate Winslet and Ned Rocknroll: After her divorce with Sam Mendes, Kate Winslet has found love and is going around with Richard Branson's nephew Ned Rocknroll.

Adam Sandler and Jackie Sandler

Julia Roberts and Danny Moder

Julia Roberts and Danny Moder: Hollywood's pretty woman Julia Roberts had a string of romantic relationships with Jason Patric, Liam Neeson, Dylan McDermott and Matthew Perry. She was also to country singer Lyle Lovett. After their separation, Julia fell in love with cameraman Danny Moder on the sets of her movie The Mexican.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness

Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton

Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton: Australian actress Cate Blanchett married playwright and screenwriter Andrew Upton, whom she met on the set of a television show in 1996. Cate and Andrew have three sons: Dashiell John, Roman Robert and Ignatius Martin.

Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Meyer

Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Meyer: Hollywood actor Tobey Maguire met jewellery designer Jennifer Meyer in 2003 while shooting for his movie Seabiscuit and became engaged in April 2006.

Jeff Bridges and Susan Geston

Jeff Bridges and Susan Geston: American actor and country musician Jeff Bridges married Susan Geston in 1977. The couple have three daughters: Isabelle Annie, Jessica Lily 'Jessie' and Hayley Roselouise.

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes: After dating a few Hollywood A-listers like Sandra Bullock, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling has been in a relationship with Eva Mendes.

Christian Bale and Sibi Blazic

Sienna Miller and Tom Sturridge

Sienna Miller and Tom Sturridge: After a high-profile divorce with Alfie co-star Jude Law in 2006, Sienna Miller went around with Balthazar Getty. Since their split, Sienna is dating English actor Tom Sturridge.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively: After his split with Hollywood siren Scarlett Johansson in 2011, Ryan Reynolds married a lesser known Blake Lively in 2012. Apparently, Blake Lively is much smaller star than Scarlett Johansson.

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson Washington

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Pearson Washington: American actor Denzel Washington met his future wife Pauletta Pearson Washington while working on the sets of television film Wilma. The couple have four children: John David, Katia, and twins Olivia and Malcolm.

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